Day: July 22, 2025

FG targets full Transition to CBT for WAEC, NECO by 2026 — Education Minister

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fully transition all national public examinations specifically the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) from the traditional Paper-Pencil Test (PPT) format to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by the year 2026.   The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, during a monitoring visit to NECO’s pilot CBT-based Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) held at SASCON International School, Abuja.   Describing the pilot as “a remarkable demonstration of possibility, preparedness, and…

Dangiwa reaffirms FG’s commitment to NUJ Journalists’ Village, advocates Press Freedom

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering affordable housing to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council. Speaking during the NUJ FCT Council Press Week Lecture and Awards Ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister assured that the long anticipated Journalists’ Village project would become a reality. The event was themed “Journalism in a Changing World: Press Freedom, Media, Democracy, and Society.”   Dangiwa stated that the project aligned with the…

FG launches EDUREVAMP Communities of Practice to transform Teaching, promote Collaboration in Schools

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has launched a groundbreaking initiative tagged EDUREVAMP Communities of Practice (CoPs) aimed at transforming teaching methods and enhancing collaboration among educators across Nigeria. The launch, which also featured a capacity-building workshop for 80 selected teachers and Ministry officials, was held in Abuja on Monday, July 21, 2025. It marked a significant step in the Ministry’s efforts to improve the quality of education delivery and learning outcomes nationwide.   Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba…

NHRC, Hope Behind Bars Africa celebrate Mandela Day 2025 with Human Rights Outreach at Suleja Custodial Centre

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with Hope Behind Bars Africa, on Monday, July 21, 2025, commemorated the 2025 Nelson Mandela International Day with a transformative outreach to the Suleja Custodial Centre in Niger State. Though the global Mandela Day is officially marked on July 18, the Commission observed the event on July 21 due to official scheduling. The outreach was themed “Uniting to Combat Poverty and Inequity,” with a sub-theme, “Upholding Mandela’s Legacy in Prisons.” The initiative aligned with the NHRC’s mandate to promote the rights and…

Nigeria, Egypt strengthen Economic Ties as 30 Top Egyptian firms explore Investment Opportunities

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and Egypt have taken bold steps to enhance economic, trade, and diplomatic cooperation as a delegation of over 30 top Egyptian CEOs arrived in Nigeria to explore strategic investment opportunities. The high-level meeting held in Abuja brought together Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and his Egyptian counterpart, H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty. The talks focused on fostering stronger ties in agriculture, energy, mining, pharmaceuticals, ICT, and other critical sectors. Ambassador Tuggar noted that Egypt’s participation demonstrates a deep interest in supporting Nigeria’s development and unlocking mutual benefits…

Foreign Ministry rebukes ADC over “misinformed” comments on Nigeria’s Diplomatic Posture

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a firm rebuttal to recent claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the party’s comments on Nigeria’s diplomatic representation and ambassadorial appointments as “alarmist, politically motivated, and fundamentally misinformed.”   The statement was signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs   In a statement signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and released on Monday, the Ministry condemned what…

NUJ FCT Press Week 2025: Stakeholders reaffirm commitment to Press Freedom, Gender Equity, and Media Reform

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Top government officials, media practitioners, and civil society leaders on Tuesday converged at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, for the grand finale of the 2025 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Press Week, themed “Journalism in a Changing World: Press Freedom, Media, Democracy, and Society.”   In her welcome address, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, described the Press Week as not just a celebration but a period of reflection, recognition, and recommitment to the values of journalism. She announced several priority projects targeted at improving the…

Police Protest: MURIC urges FG, NASS to accede to demands of Retired Officers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to urgently address the demands of retired police officers who staged a peaceful protest on Monday across several states in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory.   In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group described the conditions of retired police personnel as “horrible, disgraceful, and inhuman,” noted that such treatment of men who served the nation for decades was unacceptable.   “Retired…

Lawyer faults Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attempt to enforce judgment under appeal

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) has been criticised for attempting to enforce a court judgment she is simultaneously challenging at the Court of Appeal.   Senior legal practitioner, Ken Harries, made this observation while reacting to the senator’s dramatic appearance at the National Assembly on Tuesday, where she claimed she was seeking to enforce the July 4 judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which she interpreted as ordering her recall to the Senate.   Harries described the action as a classic case of “trying to eat her…

CGC Adeniyi reassures Stakeholders on Seamless Rollout of B’Odogwu Clearance Platform

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has reiterated the Service’s unwavering commitment to a transparent, seamless, and inclusive deployment of the B’Odogwu clearance platform, assuring stakeholders that their feedback remains central to the system’s optimisation. Adeniyi gave the assurance during a stakeholder town hall meeting held in Lagos on Monday, July 21, 2025. Themed “Enhancing Trade Compliance and System Optimisation Through Stakeholder Engagement,” the session brought together key players in the trade and logistics ecosystem to review the platform’s performance and chart the way forward.  …